Developing story: This morning’s M1 Watford crash is causing heavy delays on Monday morning. Details are still emerging and conditions on the road may change — this page will be updated as more information becomes available.
Drivers heading into London are facing a miserable start to the working week after a crash on the M1 near Watford triggered heavy queueing on Monday morning.
The collision was reported during the morning rush hour, with traffic now crawling on the southbound carriageway between the M25 interchange at junction 6a and Watford — one of the busiest approaches into the capital.
With thousands of commuters relying on the motorway to reach workplaces across north London and beyond, the incident has landed at the worst possible time, and delays are expected to build through the peak.
Key facts: M1 Watford crash
- Where: M1 southbound near Watford, Hertfordshire, between junction 6a (M25) and the Watford junctions
- When: Monday morning, 28 September, during rush hour
- Impact: Heavy queueing with long delays for London-bound traffic
- Advice: Allow plenty of extra time, check live traffic updates before setting off, and consider an alternative route if you can
The M1 is the principal road link between London, the Midlands and the North, and the stretch past Watford carries an especially heavy mix of commuter and freight traffic on weekday mornings. It does not take much to snarl it up: a single incident on the southbound carriageway can send tailbacks stretching for miles within minutes, and that appears to be exactly what is unfolding today.
What it means for Monday-morning drivers
For anyone getting behind the wheel now, the message is straightforward — expect disruption and plan around it. Queues on the southbound M1 are likely to grow through the morning peak, and the effects rarely stay confined to the motorway itself.
Knock-on congestion is possible on the M25 around the junction 6a interchange as drivers slow or attempt to reroute, while local roads through Watford, Bushey and the surrounding area may also come under pressure as motorists hunt for a way around the hold-up.
Commuters bound for north London, central London or onward connections should set off earlier than usual, keep an eye on live traffic information, and be prepared for journeys to take considerably longer than normal. If your trip is not urgent, holding off until the incident clears may be the wisest option.
The M1 Watford crash is the latest in a string of incidents to hit the capital’s motorways — the M25 was recently shut anticlockwise near Potters Bar after a vehicle fire, underlining how quickly the network around London can seize up.
Affected junctions and alternative routes
The disruption is centred on the southbound M1 between junction 6a, where the motorway meets the M25, and the Watford junctions. Drivers already stuck in the queues are advised to stay patient, keep a safe distance and avoid last-minute lane changes, which only make congestion worse.
Anyone yet to set off and heading London-bound may want to consider alternatives. The A41 runs broadly parallel to the M1 through the Watford area and can serve as a fallback into the capital, while the A5 offers another north–south option — though both are likely to be busier than usual as other drivers have the same idea. Check conditions on your chosen route before committing, and be ready to adapt.
The M25, which meets the M1 at junction 6a, is London’s famous orbital motorway — although, strictly speaking, it isn’t a full circle: here’s the A-road that breaks the circle.
For drivers who end up delayed, it may be worth knowing the best and worst stops on London’s orbital if you need to pull off, stretch your legs and let the worst of the queues clear.
What happens next
Incidents of this kind are normally attended by National Highways traffic officers alongside the emergency services, with recovery and clear-up work needed before the carriageway can fully reopen. Until then, delays are likely to persist through the morning.
We will continue to monitor the M1 Watford crash and update this article as more details emerge. Drivers are urged to check National Highways’ live travel updates before travelling and to allow extra time for journeys in the Watford area today.
